Method and system for betting on a pin based game

ABSTRACT

A method of betting on a pin based game includes the making of a first bet by placement of money or a substitute for money on a first position of a betting mat or by a digital mat on a graphical user interface, the first bet corresponding to a first player performance metric of a player in the pin based game. The player then throws at least one throw of a ball at a pin arrangement having at least one standing pin in attempt to knock down the at least one pin. The first bet plus a premium are returned based upon the first player performance metric being achieved. The premium is defined by premium odds that is based in part on the probability. A system for betting on a pin based game includes a pin associated with a sensor, a computer, a graphical user interface, and a betting mat.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional application that claims priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/081,940, filed Sep. 23, 2020, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention in general relates to gaming, and in particular to a method and system for betting on a pin based game.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

FOWLING™ is a brand for a sports game that involves throwing an oblong ball at a pin or an array of pins positioned on a game board to competitively knock down the pins. The oblong ball used in a FOWLING™ game (also referred to interchangeably as a FOWLING™ match) is similar to or can include a standard American football. The pins used in a FOWLING™ game are similar to or can include those standard 10-pin bowling. The pins are typically arranged on a game board. A standard FOWLING™ game board is a forty-two inch by ninety-six inch (42″×96″) rectangular platform while variations exist as to details of the platform and spacing. FOWLING™ can be played one-on-one or as a team sport. In team play, teammates are positioned on the same lane and throw at the opposing team's platform. Each team alternates throwing the ball at their opponent's pins while also alternating throws between players within the team.

In a typical game of FOWLING™, each player has 20 seconds to throw starting from their intention on throwing. A foul line is designated for men and women who are throwing. Men are allowed to throw anywhere behind the back edge of the lane, typically defined by the back edge of the game board or the back row of the pin arrangement, and women may throw from anywhere behind the front edge of the lane, typically defined by the front edge of the game board or the front row of the pin arrangement. In a typical game of FOWLING™, players may use any throwing style, but they must throw from the same location during each frame, as further described below, and must throw with the same arm for an entire match unless an injury requires otherwise. At no time are players allowed to interfere with the throwing of the ball or the ball contacting the pins. Defense is authorized only when a ball has crossed the foul line, and technically the ball is still in play until the ball stops. Any FOWLING™ rule violation results in a foul throw for the opposing player or team, and the opposing player or team regains possession after throwing the foul throw regardless of the established throwing rotation.

A typical FOWLING™ match is broken down into frames. In match play, one frame is completed when all pins of an opponent are knocked down on either lane. The player or team that first accomplishes knocking down all of their opponent's pins wins the frame. A typical match of FOWLING™ is declared over when a player or team wins two out of three frames. A tie occurs when the player or team that throws last knocks down all the opponent's pins. In the case of a tie, overtime is invoked in a sudden death contest to determine the winner. Both players or teams place one pin anywhere on the FOWLING™ lane for their opponent(s) to throw at. A coin toss determines who throws first and no equalizer throw is allowed. The player or team that knocks their opponent's pin down first wins the match.

The popularity of FOWLING™ is growing, spurring demand for game variations based on traditional FOWLING™ illustratively including game variations directed toward achieving various player performance metrics, time-based game variations, limited-throw-based game variations, or even a combination thereof. One area of particular interest are game variations based on traditional FOWLING™ that provide a method and system for betting on the achievement of various player performance metrics during either a traditional FOWLING™ match, or during a game variation based on traditional FOWLING™ which deviates in whole or in part from the rules of traditional FOWLING™ in order to provide various betting options and to maximize gaming appeal.

Currently, there are no game variations based on traditional FOWLING™. Furthermore, there are no methods and/or systems for betting on game variations based on traditional FOWLING™. As such, the growing demand for game variations based on traditional FOWLING™ and a method and system for betting on game variations based on traditional FOWLING™ remains unsatisfied. Thus, there exists a need for a method and system for betting on a pin based game based on traditional FOWLING™.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method of betting on a pin based game is provided that includes the making of a first bet by placement of money or a substitute for money on a first position of a betting mat or by indicating a symbol of the placement on a graphical user interface (GUI). The first bet corresponding to a first player performance metric of a player in the pin based game. The player then throws at least one throw of a ball at a pin arrangement having at least one standing pin in attempt to knock down the at least one pin. The first bet plus a premium are returned based upon the first player performance metric being achieved. The premium is defined by premium odds.

A system for betting on a pin based game includes a pin associated with a sensor generating data as to a throw of a ball by a player of the pin based game, a position of the pin, if the pin is upright or felled, and if the ball contacts the pin. A computer receiving said data from the sensor and generating analyzed data therefrom. A graphical user interface (GUI) displays the analyzed data received from the computer. A betting mat for betting on the pin based game is also present in the system, the betting mat having positions for placing a bet, each of the positions corresponding to at least one of player performance metric.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter that is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a flow chart of a method for betting on a pin based game in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a betting mat used in a method for betting on a pin based game in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a method for betting on a pin based game using a graphical user interface (GUI) in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a betting mat displayed on a GUI used in a method for betting on a pin based game in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a system for betting on a pin based game in accordance with an embodiment of the invention

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a plurality of user terminals in communication with a server that receives and transmits analyzed data from a computer to each of the plurality of user terminals in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has utility as a method and a system for betting on a pin based game based on traditional FOWLING™ or variations thereof. Embodiments of the inventive method and system provide for exciting game play with dynamically adjusting odds that enhance the betting experience by offering dynamically adjusting premiums on bets placed on the achievement of various player performance metrics as the pin based game progresses. In embodiments of the present invention, the pin based game is traditional FOWLING™. In other inventive embodiments, the pin based game is a variation of traditional FOWLING™ that departs from the rules of FOWLING™, but maintains some fundamental aspects of the game, illustratively including throwing a ball at a pin, or an arrangement of pins, in an attempt to knock down the pin or the arrangement of pins.

In this disclosure, “comprises,” “comprising,” “containing” and “having” and the like can have the meaning ascribed to them in U.S. patent law and can mean “includes,” “including,” and the like; “consisting essentially of or “consists essentially” likewise has the meaning ascribed in U.S. patent law and the term is open-ended, allowing for the presence of more than that which is recited so long as basic or novel characteristics of that which is recited is not changed by the presence of more than that which is recited, but excludes prior art embodiments.

It is to be understood that in instances where a range of values are provided that the range is intended to encompass not only the end point values of the range but also intermediate values of the range as explicitly being included within the range and varying by the last significant figure of the range. By way of example, a recited range from 1 to 4 is intended to include 1-2, 1-3, 2-4, 3-4, and 1-4. Furthermore, ranges provided herein are understood to be shorthand for all of the values within the range. For example, a range of 1 to 50 is understood to include any number, combination of numbers, or sub-range from the group consisting of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, or 50, as well as all intervening decimal values between the aforementioned integers such as, for example, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, and 1.9. With respect to sub-ranges, “nested sub-ranges” that extend from either end point of the range are specifically contemplated. For example, a nested sub-range of an exemplary range of 1 to 50 may comprise 1 to 10, 1 to 20, 1 to 30, and 1 to 40 in one direction, or 50 to 40, 50 to 30, 50 to 20, and 50 to 10 in the other direction.

Unless specifically stated or obvious from context, as used herein, the term “or” is understood to be inclusive. Unless specifically stated or obvious from context, as used herein, the terms “a”, “an,” and “the” are understood to be singular or plural.

Also, as used herein, “and/or” refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items, as well as the lack of combinations when interpreted in the alternative (“or”).

The suffix “(s)” as used herein is intended to include both the singular and the plural of the term that it modifies, thereby including one or more of that term.

Reference throughout the specification to “one embodiment”, “another embodiment”, “an embodiment”, and so forth, when present, means that a particular element (e.g., feature, structure, and/or characteristic) described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment described herein, and may or may not be present in other embodiments. In addition, it is to be understood that the described elements may be combined in any suitable.

The present invention will now be described with reference to the following embodiments. As is apparent by these descriptions, this invention can be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. For example, features illustrated with respect to one embodiment can be incorporated into other embodiments, and features illustrated with respect to a particular embodiment may be deleted from the embodiment. In addition, numerous variations and additions to the embodiments suggested herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the instant disclosure, which do not depart from the instant invention. Hence, the following specification is intended to illustrate some particular embodiments of the invention, and not to exhaustively specify all permutations, combinations, and variations thereof.

Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 is a flow chart for an inventive method for betting on a pin-based game that is shown generally at 10. A first bet is placed 12 by placing money or a substitute for money on a first position 24 on a betting mat 22 corresponding to a first player performance metric of a player of the pin based game. The player throws 14 at least one throw of a ball at a pin arrangement having at least one standing pin in attempt to knock down the at least one pin. The first bet plus a premium is returned 16 if the first player performance metric being achieved, the premium being defined by premium odds, else the bet is cleared and retained by the house as a lost wager. It is appreciated that the substitute for money is any object representing a placeholder or collateral for money, illustratively including a betting chip, a betting slip, a token, cryptocurrency, or a barcoded ticket. In some inventive embodiments, it is appreciated that the substitute for money is a digital representation of money, such as bitcoin or points that are redeemable for money. In some inventive embodiments, the ball is a regulation American football. In other inventive embodiments, the at least one standing pin is a regulation 10-pin bowling pin. In some inventive embodiments, the player throws two or more throws at the pin arrangement, allowing the player multiple attempts to knock down the at least one standing pin.

In an embodiment of the inventive method, an additional bet is placed 18 on an additional position 26 on the betting mat 22 corresponding to an additional player performance metric. In some inventive embodiments, it is appreciated that each additional position 26 on the betting mat 22 corresponds to a different additional player performance metric. The additional bet plus an additional premium for the additional player performance metric being achieved is returned 20. It is appreciated that the additional premium is defined by the premium odds. In some inventive embodiments, depending on the game variation being played, only a first player performance metric is achieved. In other inventive embodiments, depending on the game variation being played, initially a first player performance metric is achieved, followed by an additional player performance metric being achieved as the pin based game progresses. In still other inventive embodiments, depending on the game variation being played, initially a first player performance metric is achieved, followed by more than one additional player performance metric being achieved as the pin game progresses. It is appreciated that each of the more than one additional player performance metrics being achieved are the same recurring additional player performance metric being achieved, distinct additional player performance metrics being achieved, or a combination thereof. The first player performance metric and the additional player performance metric(s) for a given throw illustratively include: total pins felled, total standing pins remaining, total standing pins grazed, arrangement of standing pins remaining, over/under total pins felled, over/under total standing pins remaining, total time to fell all standing pins per player, total throws to fell all standing pins per player, total throws per player, over/under total throws per player, total combined throws, total combined throws to fell all standing pins, over/under total combined throws, total felled pins knocked off of a game board, total felled pins remaining on said game board, game winner, game loser, felled pin win/loss margin, strike, total strikes per player, perfect game, total combined strikes per game, over/under total strikes per game, WOBBLE™, which is achieved when a player grazes at least one pin with the ball, causing the pin(s) to shift position without being felled, and BONK™, which is achieved when a player downs only the middle pin of a pin arrangement on a first throw. It is appreciated that some of the aforementioned player performance metrics cannot be achieved in a single throw but require more than one throw in either a single frame or a whole game. It is further appreciated that some of the aforementioned player performance metrics cannot be achieved in a single player game, but require more than one player playing a single frame or a whole game. It is still further appreciated that the achievability of some of the aforementioned player performance metrics are dependent on which variation of the pin based game is being played. In an inventive embodiment, the pin based game is based on traditional FOWLING™. In one inventive embodiment, the pin based game is based on a variation of traditional FOWLING™ that includes a player throwing an unlimited number of throws until the player fells all standing pins in a pin arrangement. It is appreciated that this variation is amenable to being played with multiple players where each player competes against one another, with the player throwing the least number of throws to fell all standing pins is the winner. In another inventive embodiment, the pin based game is based on a variation of traditional FOWLING™ that includes a player throwing an unlimited number of throws for a predetermined period of time with the goal of felling all pins in a pin arrangement within that predetermined period of time. It is appreciated that this variation is amenable to being played with multiple players where each player competes against one another, with the winning player being the player that (a) fells all standing pins; (b) if multiple players fell all standing pins, the winning player being the player that fells all standing pins in the shortest amount of time; or (c) if no players fell all standing pins, the winning player being the player that fells the most standing pins in the shortest amount of time. It is further appreciated that both of the aforementioned game variations are also amenable to bracket or tournament play, where the top half of all successful throwers move on to a following round, and the bottom half are eliminated, repeating this process until there is one winner. In still another inventive embodiment, the pin based game is based on a variation of traditional FOWLING™ that includes head to head play for a single frame or for an entire match. In one inventive embodiment, the pin based game is based on a variation of traditional FOWLING™ that includes a challenge where a guest challenges a designated champion to any pin based game variation described herein. In another inventive embodiment, a guest chooses a designated champion as a teammate to challenge another guest/designated champion team to any pin based game variations described herein. It is appreciated that the designated champion illustratively includes a celebrity, an athlete, or an exceptionally skilled player.

An embodiment of the present invention includes dynamically adjusting the premium odds after each throw of the two or more throws. In another inventive embodiment, the premium odds are dynamically adjusted based on at least one of: a number of standing pins remaining, a position of each of the standing pins remaining, an amount of money or substitute for money placed on the first player performance metric, an amount of money or substitute for money placed on the additional player performance metric, or a combination thereof. It is appreciated that in some inventive embodiments, the premium odds are also dynamically adjusted based on at least one of: the identity of the designated champion. For example, the premium odds being based on a perceived degree of popularity or skill of a designated champion relative to another designated champion. In another inventive embodiment, the pin based game is paused after each throw of the two or more throws, allowing sufficient time for at least one of: returning the first bet plus the premium 16, returning the additional bet plus the additional premium 20, dynamically adjusting the premium odds, placing the additional bet on the additional position on the betting mat 18, or a combination thereof. It is appreciated that pausing after each throw of the two or more throws is a departure from the rules of traditional FOWLING™ in at least that the rules of traditional FOWLING™ allow for successive throws by opposing players without a stoppage in play, illustratively in situations where the opposing player is ready to throw with a ball in-hand, as soon as the opposing player's throw is complete. However, it is further appreciated that pausing after each throw allows the premium odds to be dynamically adjusted based on the results of the previous throw and based in part on the probability with a factor to assure a house advantage of from 1 to 10% in terms of premium payouts. It is still further appreciated that the probability of achieving any of the aforementioned player performance metrics, is inextricably tied to the probability of achieving other of the aforementioned player performance metrics. By way of illustrative example, if the first throw results in a 7-10 split, the probability that the next throw results in all remaining pins being felled is less than the probability that all remaining pins being filled if the first throw results in two adjacent pins remaining. Thus, pausing after each throw allows the premium odds to be dynamically adjusted to reflect any change in probability of achieving any of the aforementioned player performance metrics on a subsequent throw based on the achievement (or lack thereof) of other of the aforementioned player performance metrics on the previous throw. It is also appreciated that in some inventive embodiments, pausing after each throw allows the premium odds to be dynamically adjusted to give the house a predetermined edge by hedging house exposure across all bets placed, dynamically adjusting the premium odds based on the amount of money or substitute for money placed on the first player performance metric and/or an additional player performance metric. By way of illustrative example, the premium odds for a player performance metric on which the most amount money or substitute for money is placed for any given throw can be dynamically adjusted downward, or alternatively or additionally, the premium odds for a player performance metric on which the least amount money or substitute for money is placed for any given throw can be dynamically adjusted upward, thereby allowing the house to hedge their exposure regardless of the outcome of any given throw.

By way of example, the first throw of each frame there are P possibilities for pins felled that range from 0, 1, . . . 10, where 0≤n≤10, where n is the score. The first throw felling all 10 pins is analogous to a strike in bowling. For a second and subsequent throw, n must be n≤9, the probability for a subsequent throw includes the total number of pin remaining and the placement of those pins. By analog to bowling, a paradox exists in that a 7-10 split is a more difficult spare to complete than a 5-7-10 split in that the requirement that more pins must be felled is overridden by having the additional pin functioning to cause secondary collisions that can span an otherwise large spacing between the remaining pins. Thus, a bowling roil to contact the 5 and 10 pins simultaneously with a momentum vector toward the 7 pin has far better odds of completing the spare than the 7-10 spare. For a second throw and subsequent throw, the probability of felling any one time is proportional to: the number of pins still standing, and inversely proportional to the mean square root of the distance between the standing pins. The resulting equation is weighed by the skill of the player based on past play. The weighting ranges from 0 (never) to 1 (certain). Practically, the weighting values range from 0.2 to 0.85 for amateur and skilled players, respectively. The prediction of felling all the remaining pin with a second or subsequent throw varies and 1/n exponent where n is the number of pins standing.

In embodiments of the present invention, game-related information is displayed on a visual display. It is appreciated that the information displayed on the visual display includes at least one of: a set of available betting options for placing the first bet on the first player performance metric, a set of available betting options for placing the additional bet on the additional player performance metric, the premium odds, the pin arrangement, a set of historical performance data for the player, an amount of pause time remaining, a live feed of the pin based game being played, or a combination thereof. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a betting mat 22 used in embodiments of the inventive method for betting on a pin based game in which the nature of the bets and the repayment odds are merely exemplary.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of another inventive method for betting on a pin based game shown generally at 30. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a displayed betting mat 44 displayed on a graphical user interface (GUI) 42 where like numerals have the meaning ascribed thereto with respect to the aforementioned drawings. A first bet representing money or a substitute for money is placed 32 by indicating on the graphical user interface (GUI) 42, a first position on the displayed betting mat 44 corresponding to a first player performance metric of a player of the pin based game. The player throws 34 at least one throw of a ball at a pin arrangement having at least one standing pin in attempt to knock down the at least one pin. The first bet plus a premium is returned 36 for the first player performance metric being achieved, the premium being defined by premium odds. It is appreciated that the substitute for money is any object representing a placeholder for money, illustratively including a betting chip, a betting slip, or a barcoded ticket. It is further appreciated that the substitute for money is any form of agreed upon collateral, illustratively including extended house credit. It is still further appreciated that the substitute for money is a digital representation of money that is redeemable for money. In some inventive embodiments, it is appreciated that the ball is a traditional American football. In other inventive embodiments, it is appreciated that the at least one standing pin is a traditional bowling pin. In some embodiments of the inventive method, the player throws two or more throws at the pin arrangement, allowing the player multiple attempts to knock down the at least one standing pin. In one inventive embodiment, an additional bet representing money or a substitute for money is placed 38 by indicating on the GUI 42 an additional position on the displayed betting mat 44 corresponding to an additional player performance metric. In another embodiment of the inventive method, the additional bet plus an additional premium for the additional player performance metric being achieved is returned 40. It is appreciated that the additional premium is defined by the premium odds. It is further appreciated that the aforementioned player performance metrics and game variations are also operative herein.

It is appreciated that the dynamic adjustment of the premium odds after each throw is readily adjusted as detailed above with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2. In another inventive embodiment of the present invention, the pin based game is paused after each throw of the two or more throws, allowing sufficient time for at least one of: returning the first bet plus the premium 36, returning the additional bet plus the additional premium 40, dynamically adjusting the premium odds, placing the additional bet by indicating on the GUI the additional position on the displayed betting mat 38, or a combination thereof. It is appreciated that the aforementioned features and benefits of pausing after each throw are also operative herein.

In some embodiments of the present invention, game-related information is displayed on the GUI 42. It is appreciated that the information displayed on the GUI 42 includes at least one of: a set of available betting options for placing the first bet on the first player performance metric, a set of available betting options for placing the additional bet on the additional player performance metric, the premium odds, the pin arrangement, a set of historical performance data for the player, an amount of pause time remaining, a live feed of the pin based game being played, or a combination thereof.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an inventive system for betting on a pin-based game shown generally at 100 with dashed lines indicating data communication between the respective elements depicted. A pin 102 associated with a sensor 104 generating data as to a throw of a ball by a player of the pin based game, a position of the pin 102, if the pin 102 is upright or felled, and if the ball contacts the pin 102. A computer 106 receives the data generated by the sensor 104, generating analyzed data therefrom. A graphical user interface (GUI) 108 displays the analyzed data received from the computer 106. The inventive system also includes a betting mat 110 for betting on the pin based game. The betting mat 110 has a plurality of positions for placing a bet 112, each of the plurality of positions for placing a bet 112 corresponding to at least one of a plurality of player performance metrics. In some inventive embodiments, it is appreciated that the pin 102 is two or more pins.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the sensor 104 is a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag affixed to or implanted in the pin 102 that allows for tracking of and generation of data as to a position of the pin 102, if the pin 102 is upright or felled, if the ball contacts the pin 102, and if a throw of the ball has occurred. In other inventive embodiments, it is appreciated that the sensor 104 is not affixed to or implanted in the pin 102, but instead is located in any position relative to the pin based game setup to allow the sensor 104 to achieve tracking and generation of the aforementioned data. In still other inventive embodiments, it is appreciated that the sensor includes a clock to track, illustratively, a position of the pin 102 versus time, including whether the pin 102 is upright or felled, and/or a total amount of throws versus time. In specific embodiments, the inventive system includes a pin position array in conjunction with conductive or magnetic disks on the bottom portion or surface of the pin for tracking the position of the pin 102, whether the pin 102 is upright or felled, whether the ball has contacts the pin 102, and/or if a throw of the ball has occurred. The conductive or magnetic disks generate the aforementioned tracked data which is received by the computer 106 by completing a circuit junction in the array that confirms the presence of the pin 102 in an upright position and when the pin 102. is upright or felled. In some inventive embodiments, it is appreciated that the sensor 104 is a at least one of: a camera, a laser, Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), an electric eye, or a combination thereof. In other inventive embodiments, it is appreciated that the sensor 104 is more than one sensor.

In specific inventive embodiments, the analyzed data includes at least one of: a set of available betting options for placing the bet on the at least one of the plurality of player performance metrics, a set of premium odds for the bet, the position of the pin 102, whether the pin 102 is upright or felled, a set of historical performance data for the player, an amount of pause time remaining between throws, a live feed of the pin based game being played, or a combination thereof. In some inventive embodiments, the computer 106 dynamically adjusts the set of premium odds for the bet based on at least one of: a number of the pin 102 remaining upright, the position of the pin 102, an amount of money or substitute for money placed on the bet, the probability, the player skill level, or a combination thereof. In inventive embodiments, the analyzed data is made available to Internet enabled devices via a network connection. In other inventive embodiments, the analyzed data is posted to a website. It is appreciated that human detection of pin position and the resulting change in premium odds has never been previously been computed and even if attempted is simply too slow to allow for practical betting game. It is appreciated that the network connection is optionally any type of known network connection illustratively including a fixed wire line network connection, cable and fiber optics, over the air broadcasts, satellite, local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), and intranet. In specific embodiments, it is appreciated that the sensor 104 is optionally any of various types of machine readable wireless tag, either alone or in combination with any of various types of readers. The wireless tag illustratively includes RFID passive tags and/or those that transmit information only in response to interrogation by a reader. In general, a passive tag is energized to transmit identification information by the reader. Passive tags may include an energy source, such as a battery, for example to increase read range. Such tags are often termed semi-passive or battery-assisted passive. In another inventive embodiment, the wireless tag is an RFID active tag and may initiate information transmission. Active tags are powered by an energy source, such as a battery, and may transmit continuously or intermittently. Numerous radio frequency identification readers and tags have been developed illustratively including those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,442,507; 4,796,074; 5,095,362; 5,296,722; 5,347,263; 5,347,280; 5,378,880; 5,407,851; 5,430,441; 5,528,222; 5,550,547; 5,521,601; 5,541,604; 5,565,846; 5,682,143; and 5,625,341. The determination of pin status electronically has proven challenging as positional differences between a standing pin and a fallen pin are small. To render the inventive system more response, the RFID tags are placed above the center of gravity in the pin. A still other embodiments of the present invention, the RFID reader is placed with a 30 degree angle of the upright pin position of the RFID tag, as opposed to the conventional overhead and orthogonal position. While an overhead position is conveniently out of the line of player throws and pin recoil, it has been discovered that felled pins are more easily detected in this this orientation.

In one embodiment, the radio frequency tags are read-only. Such RFID tags are known in the art and are exemplified by the “ES600-Series Read Only Tags” commercially available from Escort Memory Systems (EMS), Scotts Valley, Calif. Alternatively, tags are configured to allow information to be written to the tag. For instance, the pin number or placement position may be written to the machine readable wireless tags. Read-write RFID tags are known in the art and include IntelliTag Series from Intermec Technologies Corporation and the HMS-100 Series passive read-write tags available from EMS.

A transmission server with a microprocessor and a memory are used to store RFID historical signals, transmitting a pin status alert from the transmission server over a data channel to the computer and updated premium odds to a GUI, and providing a GUI application that causes the premium odd alert to display on the GUI and enables a secure connection from the bettor computer to the data source over the Internet or LAN. The totality of these aspects and the order of which are believed to solve a computer specific problem associated with pin based game betting.

In another embodiment, a machine readable wireless tag reader is included in an inventive system which is configured to interrogate the tag and receive information from the tag. The reader is in data communication with the computer 106. The reader may be in wireless or direct wired connection to the computer 106 for communication of data. In addition, information received from the tag may be input from an RFID reader over a wired or wireless connection to a device such as a server or computer network accessible by multiple users from multiple locations. The server may be any type of computer system such as a personal digital assistant, personal computer, workstation, or mainframe computer.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a plurality of user terminals 114 in communication with a server 116 that receives and transmits the analyzed data from the computer 106 to each of the plurality of user terminals, according to specific embodiments of the inventive system. It is appreciated that the dashed lines depicted in FIG. 6 indicate data communication between the respective elements depicted. In some inventive embodiments, each of the plurality of user terminals 114 has a user terminal GUI 118 displaying an interactive digital betting mat 120. In other inventive embodiments, each of the plurality of user terminals 114 has a payment device 122 for at least one of: accepting a user payment, returning the placed bet, paying a bet premium corresponding to the premium odds, or a combination thereof.

While particular embodiments have been described, alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and substantial equivalents that are or may be presently unforeseen may arise to applicants or others skilled in the art. Accordingly, the appended claims as filed and as they may be amended, are intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications variations, improvements, and substantial equivalents. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the described embodiments in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient roadmap for implementing the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the scope as set forth in the appended claims and the legal equivalents thereof.

Patent documents and publications mentioned in the specification are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. These documents and publications are incorporated herein by reference to the same extent as if each individual document or publication was specifically and individually incorporated herein by reference. 

1. A method of betting on a pin based game comprising: placing a first bet by placing money or a substitute for money on a first position of a betting mat corresponding to a first player performance metric of a player in the pin based game; the player throwing at least one throw of a ball at a pin arrangement having at least one standing pin in attempt to knock down said at least one pin; and returning said first bet plus a premium for the first player performance metric being achieved, the premium being defined by premium odds calculated based in part on the probability.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein said at least one throw is two or more throws.
 3. The method of claim 2 further comprising dynamically adjusting the premium odds after each throw of said two or more throws.
 4. The method of claim 3 further comprising dynamically adjusting the premium odds based on at least one of: a number of standing pins remaining, a position of each of the standing pins remaining, an amount of money or substitute for money placed on the first player performance metric, an amount of money or substitute for money placed on the additional player performance metric, or a combination thereof.
 5. The method of claim 2 further comprising pausing after each throw of said two or more throws, allowing sufficient time for at least one of: returning said first bet plus said premium, returning said additional bet plus said additional premium, dynamically adjusting the premium odds, placing said additional bet on said additional position on said betting mat, or a combination thereof.
 6. The method of claim 1 further comprising placing an additional bet on an additional position on the betting mat corresponding to an additional player performance metric.
 7. The method of claim 6 further comprising returning said additional bet plus an additional premium for said additional player performance metric being achieved, the additional premium being defined by the premium odds.
 8. The method of claim 1 further comprising displaying information on a visual display, the information being at least one of: a set of available betting options for placing said first bet on said first player performance metric, a set of available betting options for placing said additional bet on said additional player performance metric, the premium odds, the pin arrangement, a set of historical performance data for the player, an amount of pause time remaining, a live feed of the pin based game, or a combination thereof.
 9. A method of betting on a pin based game comprising: placing a first bet representing money or a substitute for money by indicating on a graphical user interface (GUI) a first position on a displayed betting mat corresponding to a first player performance metric of a player of the pin based game; the player throwing at least one throw of a ball at a pin arrangement having at least one standing pin in attempt to knock down said at least one pin; and returning said first bet plus a premium for the player performance metric being achieved, the premium being defined by premium odds.
 10. The method of claim 9 further comprising the player throwing two or more throws.
 11. The method of claim 9 further comprising placing an additional bet representing money or a substitute for money by indicating on the GUI an additional position on the displayed betting mat corresponding to an additional player performance metric.
 12. The method of claim 11 further comprising returning said additional bet plus an additional premium for the additional player performance metric being achieved, the additional premium being defined by the premium odds.
 13. The method of claim 10 further comprising dynamically adjusting the premium odds after each throw of said two or more throws.
 14. The method of claim 10 further comprising pausing after each throw of said two or more throws, allowing sufficient time for at least one of: returning said first bet plus said premium, returning said additional bet plus said additional premium, dynamically adjusting the premium odds, placing said additional bet by indicating on the GUI the additional position on the displayed betting mat, or a combination thereof.
 15. The method of claim 9 further comprising displaying on the GUI at least one of: a set of available betting options for placing said first bet on the first player performance metric, a set of available betting options for placing said additional bet on the additional player performance metric, the premium odds, the pin arrangement, a set of historical performance data for the player, an amount of pause time remaining, a live feed of the pin based game, or a combination thereof.
 16. A system for betting on a pin based game comprising: a pin associated with a sensor generating data as to a throw of a ball by a player of the pin based game, a position of said pin, if said pin is upright or felled, and if said ball contacts said pin; a computer receiving said data from said sensor and generating analyzed data therefrom; a graphical user interface (GUI) displaying said analyzed data received from said computer; and a betting mat for betting on the pin based game, the betting mat having a plurality of positions for placing a bet, each of said plurality of positions corresponding to at least one of a plurality of player performance metrics.
 17. The system of claim 16 wherein said analyzed data includes at least one of: a set of available betting options for placing said bet on the at least one of said plurality of player performance metrics, a set of premium odds for said bet, the position of said pin, whether said pin is upright or felled, a set of historical performance data for the player, a live feed of the pin based game, or a combination thereof.
 18. The system of claim 16 wherein said analyzed data is made available to Internet enabled devices via a network connection or is posted to a website.
 19. The system of claim 16 further comprising a plurality of user terminals in communication with a server that receives and transmits said analyzed data from said computer to each of said plurality of user terminals.
 20. The system of claim 19 wherein each of said plurality of user terminals has a user terminal GUI displaying an interactive digital betting mat. 